Billy Banks, who has a long criminal history, was jailed after filming himself abusing a live rabbit and posting the footage to a public hare‑coursing group on Facebook.
He received six months for the animal cruelty offence and a further sentence for Class A drug supply and possession of criminal property, bringing his total prison term to six years and one month
On 3 October 2025, Banks filmed himself abusing a live rabbit at Broadstone Recreation Ground, Poole. He uploaded the footage to an open hare‑coursing Facebook group, enabling officers to identify him.
The video shows Banks:
- pulling a live rabbit from a bag
- setting a young lurcher‑type dog on it
- kicking the rabbit repeatedly to force it to run so the dog could continue chasing it
Police arrested him in November 2025. He pleaded guilty at Poole Magistrates’ Court on 28 May 2026 and was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on 7 August 2026.
Sentence
- 6 months’ imprisonment for causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal
- 10‑year ban on owning or keeping dogs, rabbits, or hares
- Further sentence: Banks also received additional prison time for Class A drug supply and possession of criminal property, bringing his total sentence to 6 years and 1 month
Police Statement
Police Constable Chandler Organ said Banks’ actions were “unacceptable” and confirmed that officers will continue to investigate similar reports.
Related Criminal History
2024 – Money Laundering Linked to Rogue Trading
Banks (then aged 30) and his brother Jake Holland were sentenced for laundering over £50,000 stolen from an elderly dementia patient in Corsham.
- Billy Banks: 18 months’ imprisonment
- Jake Holland: 9‑month suspended sentence + 200 hours unpaid work
The victim was manipulated by rogue traders into believing his roof required urgent repairs. He paid out large sums in cash and cheques, two of which were written directly to Banks and Holland. Both men admitted laundering the money.
2016 – Burglary Series in Poole
At age 22, Banks committed three burglaries in Poole:
- Monkton Crescent (September 2015)
- Two homes in Bradstock Close (November 2015)
He received a six‑month suspended sentence, 100 hours’ community service, and was ordered to pay £250 compensation to each victim.